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Foreign Service Executive Officer

Employer
USAJobs
Location
Washington, D.C
Closing date
Jan 19, 2021

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Duties

Summary

USAID is the world's premier international development agency and a catalytic actor driving development results. USAID works to help lift lives, build communities, and advance democracy. USAID's work advances U.S. national security and economic prosperity; demonstrates American generosity; and promotes a path to recipient self-reliance and resilience. We operate in five regions of the world: Africa, Asia, the Middle East, Latin America and the Caribbean, and Europe and Eurasia.

Learn more about this agency

Responsibilities

This is a Foreign Service announcement. Worldwide availability is a requirement of the position.

Is a key business advisor, skilled in applying strategic planning and policy formulation tools to develop and implement management solutions supporting USAID and its program objectives overseas. Serves as primary advisor to the Director of USAID's overseas offices (Missions) on operational planning and administrative matters. Possesses strong knowledge of federal rules, regulations and guidelines concerning management issues. Develops and monitors internal management systems and procedures ensuring efficient and proper use of government resources.

Collaborates with Mission officials on staffing and workforce planning issues, and recommends actions to ensure maximum effective use of personnel. Plans and directs the personnel management operations for the Mission's Direct Hire and Personal Service Contractor employees. Coordinates training and staff development activities and the Mission Awards program.

Oversees the recruitment and selection of new personnel. Understands Foreign Service National (FSN) benefit package at post in relation to individual employees and the Mission. Provides counseling to employees and their families on a wide range of subjects, including allowances, education, equal opportunity, career development, onward assignments, and employee relations.

Manages the Information Technology unit of the Mission, including all hardware and software applications. Serves as the Mission Information Systems Security Officer (ISSO) responsible for certifying to AID/W that all Mission systems are in compliance with federal and Agency regulations and policies.

Develops and manages the administrative budget for the Mission in coordination with the Financial Management Officer. Creates contingency multi-year budget strategies based on availability of funds. Serves as a resource to Program and Technical Officers in the formation of their budgets. Prepares overview of the administrative budget for Mission reports to Congress. Obligates and de-obligates administrative funds, as required.

Serves as advisor to the strategic objective teams regarding human resources, material resources, information technologies, security, and other administrative matters. Participates in the design and review of administrative/logistical components of development assistance activities.

Represents the Mission in the development and administration of International Cooperative Administrative Support Services (ICASS) in coordination with the Mission Controller on budgetary aspects of the ICASS process. Monitors and ensures that the type, level, and charges for services conform to support agreements and USAID regulations.

Executes contracts in accordance with the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) and USAID Acquisition Regulations (AIDAR) within the given warrant authority, and serves as Unit Security Officer for the Mission and, in collaboration with the Regional Security Office (RSO) and the Office of Security (SEC), ensures compliance with and implementation of all security programs. Manages Partner Liaison Security Program. Functionally responsible for administering USAID's Occupational Safety and Health programs at post.

Serves on committees both within the Mission and the Embassy. The committees will include but not be limited to ICASS Council, Joint Awards Program, Interagency Housing Board, Appraisal Committees, and the Training Committee.

Travel Required

Occasional travel - A Foreign Service Officer generally spends the majority of their career assigned to the Agency's overseas missions and works in assigned developing countries with a variety of challenges (civil war, political unrest, lack of modern conveniences).

Supervisory status
Yes

Promotion Potential
SFS - Advancement to Senior Foreign Service on a merit basis is possible for employees who secure tenure and satisfy the requirements of promotion boards.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • Must be a U.S. citizen.
  • Must have worldwide availability.
  • Must be able to obtain and maintain a TS security clearance.
  • Must be between 18 and 59 years old at time of application.
  • Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered with the Selective Service.
  • Must meet all requirements of this announcement.


Medical Clearance. A medical clearance or waiver for the applicant is required prior to being hired for this position. FS members must be able to serve at any overseas post or receive a waiver. Many facilities are remote, unhealthy, or have limited medical support. Therefore, each applicant must meet medical fitness standards or receive a waiver. Prior to being appointed to the Foreign Service, applicants must have a thorough medical examination and must be able to receive a medical clearance for worldwide availability or a waiver.

Qualifications

FS-04: Applicant must have a Masters, or Doctorate degree in a relevant area PLUS four (4) years of relevant work experience. Two (2) years of the qualifying experience must be overseas, or in a diverse working environment.

Relevant area is defined as Business Administration, Public Administration, Law, Human Resources, International Relations, Information Technology, Security, International Development, and Strategic Studies. Related disciplines will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Relevant work experience is defined as experience directly related to Business Management, Public Administration, International Development, Program Management, Financial Management, Contract Management, Administrative Management, Human Resources, Risk Management, Strategic Operations, Information Security, or other related fields. Experience should also display adaptability to working in varying cultures, environments, and/or adverse conditions.

Overseas and diverse working environment includes: A) working and living in a foreign country, nation, territory, or tribe; or (B) working and living in an economically disadvantaged community in the United States. Such diverse work experience would be characterized by situations in which you were exposed to new cultures, learned foreign languages, encountered different behavioral norms and practices, coordinated and engaged with external partners and local counterparts, or conducted public outreach and communications.

Strategic Thinking - Generates and applies unique business insight that creates competitive advantage for the organization. Sees and understands the bigger picture; anticipates opportunities and challenges, and then utilizes that knowledge to guide the organization. Feels comfortable moving between quantitative and qualitative analytics as situations require.

Business Acumen - Understands the key factors behind issues related to particular actions and the ability to comprehend their consequences. Is able to make good judgements and appropriate decisions.

Administration and Management - Has keen knowledge of planning, coordination, and execution of business functions, resource allocation, and production. Proven organizational effectiveness.

Oral Communication - Expresses information to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information (for example, technical, sensitive, controversial); makes clear and convincing oral presentations; listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately.

Writing - Recognizes or uses correct English grammar, punctuation, and spelling; communicates information (for example, facts, ideas, or messages) in a succinct and organized manner; produces written information, which may include technical material, that is appropriate for the intended audience.

Leadership - Influences, motivates, and challenges others; adapts leadership styles to a variety of situations.

Teamwork/Interpersonal Skills - Shows courtesy and empathy to others; develops and maintains effective relationships; effectively deals with individuals who are difficult or distressed; relates well to people from varied backgrounds/cultures; is sensitive to individual differences.

Human Resources Management - Empowers people by sharing power and authority; develops lower levels of leadership by pushing authority downward and outward throughout the organization; shares rewards for achievement with employees; ensures that staff are appropriately selected, utilized, appraised, and developed, and that they are treated in a fair and equitable manner.

Flexibility - Is open to change and new information; adapts behavior and work methods in response to new information, changing conditions, or unexpected obstacles; effectively deals with pressure and ambiguity.

Contracting Procurement - Knowledge of various types of contracts, techniques or requirements (for example, Federal Acquisitions Regulations) for contracting and procurement, and contract negotiation and administration.

Education

Applicants must have a Master's, or Doctorate degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Law, Human Resources, International Relations, Information Technology, Security, International Development, and Strategic Studies. Related disciplines will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the education requirements. Transcripts from any and all foreign educational institutions must be accompanied by an official Evaluation of Educational Credentials in order to be considered for the position. It is your responsibility to provide evidence that the foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States when applying. If you are qualifying based on foreign education, you must submit proof of creditability of education as evaluated by a credentialing agency. Click on the following link for a list of accredited organizations ( https://www.naces.org/members ) recognized as specializing in interpretation of foreign education credentials. More information may be found at https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html

Unofficial transcripts must be uploaded as part of the application Failure to do so will result in the application being eliminated from consideration. If we are unable to determine that you meet the required education, you will be found ineligible for further consideration. If you proceed past the initial application phase, official transcripts must be received by USAID from your university/institution during the final selection process.

Additional information

Applicants who previously applied for this position and were interviewed will not be invited for another interview within a 12 month period.

Selective Service. As a condition of employment, all male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must have registered for the selective service. If selected for this position, the applicant must sign a statement certifying his registration, or the applicant must demonstrate exempt status under the Selective Service Law.

Career appointments in the Foreign Service are covered by the Foreign Service Act of 1980, as amended, which requires an applicant to be 18 years old at time of application and which directs mandatory retirement at age 65. Given this mandatory retirement age and the fact that five years must be allowed to achieve tenure in the agency, there is an upper age limit of 59 at time of appointment to the Foreign Service.

Veteran's preference. Qualified veterans will be considered consistent with the requirements of the Foreign Service Act.

These are Testing Designated Positions (TDPs) under the Agency's approved Drug-Free Work Place Program. All applicants selected for this position will be subject to random drug testing once they begin working for the Agency.

Foreign Language Ability. Foreign language ability has no effect on whether or not you are selected for an interview. However, to reach required tenured status, you must be able to achieve minimum proficiency levels in a USAID tenuring languag e. Candidates who demonstrate a predefined level of proficiency will be given the opportunity to test for bonus points that will be added to their final interview score. Testing will be conducted via telephone and/or in person.

USAID must provide reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process should follow the instructions in the job opportunity announcement. For any part of the remaining hiring process, applicants should contact the hiring agency directly. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

BASIS OF RATING: Qualified applicants receive a score of 70 to 100 before veteran's preference points are applied (if applicable). You will be rated based on your qualifications for this position as evidenced by the education, experience, and training you report relative to this position that show the degree to which you possess the required competencies listed on this vacancy announcement. USAID must be able to conduct reference checks as part of its assessment process. Applicants who do not permit reference checks from previous employers may be disqualified.

IMPORTANT: If you are found to have rated your self assessment higher than the information in your on-line application, supporting documentation narratives, and/or any other relevant part of your application package; including attachments, a score will manually be determined that reflects your documented experience. This may result in a lowered score and may also eliminate you from the best qualified list.
To preview questions please click here .

Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance
Top Secret

Drug test required
Yes

Required Documents

NOTE: We are aware some applicants are being directed during the application process to submit redundant documents. You are only required to submit the "Vacancy Level" documents: Resume, Transcript, SF-15 (if applicable), DD-214 (if applicable), and Miscellaneous (for any document you'd like to submit that doesn't fall under the category of the first four). The second request for "Registration Level" documents is the result of a technical error and can be ignored.

The following documents will be required for verification of eligibility before employment is offered:

• Proof of United States Citizenship (birth certificate, passport, or other acceptable documentation), these are not required to be submitted as part of the initial application.
• Official copy of college transcript of education used to qualify you for this position. For the initial application, only a copy of unofficial transcript is required.
• If claiming veteran's preference you must provide acceptable documentation of your preference or appointment eligibility. Acceptable documentation may be: a copy of your DD-214, "Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty," which shows dates of service and discharge under honorable conditions; a "certification" that is a written document from the armed forces that certifies the service member is expected to be discharged or released from active duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date the certification is signed; OR a Standard Form 15 Application for 10-point Veterans' Preference. If you are claiming 10 point preference, you will need to submit a SF 15. You may obtain a letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs reflecting your level of disability for preference eligibility by visiting a VA Regional Office, contacting a VA call center or online. For more information on veteran's preference and eligibility, visit https://www.fedshirevets.gov/job-seekers/veterans-preference/#content

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education .

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

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